Ingredients
Method
- Set out cream cheese to soften. If making the fruit filling from scratch, put each fruit in its own saucepan and simmer on medium-low. Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 3 tablespoons of sugar to each pan. If the fruit isn't juicy, add 1/4 cup water.
- While the fruit is simmering, start the granola. Gently warm the coconut oil, honey, and cinnamon in the microwave and stir together with the oats and chopped nuts. Spread onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 20-30 minutes at 275°F. Nuts burn easily, so check often.
- Once the fruit is cooked down and thickened slightly, turn off the heat and set aside to cool. While the granola bakes, start the chia pudding mixture.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the chia seeds, coconut milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and 3 tablespoons maple syrup. Adjust lemon juice and maple syrup to taste. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, blend together the cream cheese, sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 3 tablespoons lemon juice, adding oat milk 1 tablespoon at a time until thick and smooth. Adjust lemon and sugar to taste and set aside.
- Take the granola out and set aside to cool. Stir the chia pudding again to prevent lumps and place in the refrigerator to cool. Blend the cheesecake filling again until the sugar is fully dissolved, then refrigerate.
- Prepare containers to fill. Once the fruit filling has cooled, place just enough fruit to cover the bottom of each container. Add about 1/2 cup of chia pudding to each container, then top with the second fruit.
- Put the cheesecake mixture into a piping bag (or a baggie with the corner cut off) and pipe a layer onto the top of the fruit. If not serving right away, seal and store in the refrigerator.
- Add the granola shortly before serving — keep it sealed and stored at room temperature until ready to use, so it stays crunchy.
Nutrition
Notes
Recipe ideas: Not vegan? Make with regular cream cheese and Greek yogurt instead of dairy-free milk for a healthy-gut alternative. Don't want refined sugar? Use honey instead of sugar in the fruit mixtures, and maple syrup or coconut sugar in the cheesecake mix. I prefer pecans or cashews in the granola, but feel free to use whatever nut you have.
Diet notes: Gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, vegan. Read first: not all oats are certified gluten free and vegan cream cheese brands vary, so double-check labels if you're strict celiac. Recipe contains coconut.
Prepared in mason jars, the trifle looks delicious and they seal well to save for later.
